Botswana’s local skateboarding team says preparations are progressing well for the highly anticipated world skateboarding championships to be held in Kimberly, South Africa, this month end.
The team will field five of their most reliable and trusted racers to compete in the internationally acclaimed skating extravaganza.
Over 70 countries are expected to compete. The five man team is comprised of Thabiso Gulubane, Biko Gulubane (Thabiso’s younger brother), Phillip Makgwa, Moagi Motsumi and Theo Setsetse.
“We have been preparing well for the upcoming challenge and we believe that although we are under resourced we are capable to make history,” Gulubane said, promising local skateboarding fans a podium finish at the world championships.
Gulubane, also the founding chairman of Botswana Skate Board Association, said the lack of funding is the main challenge.
“Our trip to Kimberly is self funded and we are going to take care of our expenses whilst we are there.”
Gulubane said they were given short notice by the event organisers, lead to little or no time to start asking for funds from the relevant institutions.
He said through participation at this event they will establish goods networks with other skaters from across the globe.?The local skate boarders are expected to fly the country’s flag high at the championships. The highly anticipated event is expected to take place at the skate plaza in Kimberly, South Africa between October 2 and 5.
One of the best skaters this country has ever produced, Thabiso Gulubane, the chairman of Botswana Skate Board Association, said he will head the Botswana delegation which will represent the country at the world renowned skate boarding championships.
Gulubane is optimistic that their representation at the championships will create a mutual working relationship between them and local institutions such as Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and The Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture (MYSC).
